Almost Elton John takes time to shine

Almost Elton John opened last night at Woodlands Auditorium in Hot Springs Village. Craig A. Meyer’s Elton John looked just right.

But, I’m not going to lie to you; the first half of last night’s show was a glitch-filled disaster. The new sound system drove a third of the audience away at intermission.

The drums were far too hot and it was all the audience could hear and consequently think about. The piano was drowned out. The back-up vocalist could be seen moving her mouth but never heard. The guitar and bass were seen but not heard and the synthesizer was barely there.

From the start, the audience was ready to participate by joining in with claps and having a good time but once the music revved up in the show opener, I’m a Bitch, the show immediately fell flat. The band segued into Philadelphia Freedom and it became apparent the drum riffs were the same and therefore every song in the first half sounded the same, all drums, nothing else.

During the intermission I talked with several patrons on the first row of the auditorium and they were having the time of their lives. They were not impacted by t he sound system and they were getting a great sound. They were able to hear Craig A. Meyer’s dead-on imitation of Elton John.

For the rest of the audience members remaining after intermission, they got the show they came to see. The drummer was behind his plastic shield, the levels on the rest of the band were adjusted and the audience relaxed and could finally appreciate Meyer’s over-the-top Elton John look and sound.

I was able to appreciate the glitter and pomp. I loved the pumps. By the time Meyer broke into the tune form The Lion King, Can’t You Feel the Love Tonight, the audience was thoroughly back in his pocket and on his side. If the second half of the show had been first, not a person would have left at intermission.

The Don’t Go Breaking My Heart with Meyer and back-up vocalist Kelly Fletcher was excellent. In the second half we got to hear Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Pinball Wizard, This is My Song, Saturday Night and the epic Crocodile Rock. The audience was on its feet and ready to dance.

When all the glitches were solved, the show was fun and entertaining for everyone, not just the die hard Elton John fans determined to tough it out.

Once Meyer left the stage it appeared there would not be an encore and some of the audience filed out of the auditorium. But, for those staying and clapping, there was a reward. Meyer came out for a dead-on rendition of Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me. What a night, for heartbreak to elation.

Craig A. Meyer’s Almost Elton John will be in the Village through Friday night. The show will be good from start to finish, high energy and balanced. The Rocket Band, Danny Howes on guitars, Michael Lamond on bass, Pat Strawser on synthesizer, Guy Strauss on drums and Kelly Fletcher on vocals will be appreciated. They are a talented group and very adeptly provide the compliment to Meyer’s outrageous Almost Elton John.

Following the Almost Elton John run will be Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Show, November 13 through 16. For more information on the Concerts’ Association’s schedule, go to www.HSVConcertsAssoc.org.